12.43% polling in AP in first two hours

Hyderabad: Around 12.43% of the electorate exercised their franchise in the first two hours of polling in 20 Lok Sabha and 140 Assembly constituencies in Andhra Pradesh today.

Barring minor incidents, polling has been peaceful since it began at 0700 hours.

“Polling has been by and large peaceful. Some minor incidents have come to our notice. An EVM was stolen before polling began in Cuddapah. At Chandragiri, in Chittoor district, miscreants have destroyed an EVM,” State chief electoral officer I V Subba Rao told reporters.

While Hindpur recorded the maximum of 17% voting, Nandyal saw the lowest trun out of 8%, state election authorities said.

Malfunctioning of EVMs was reported at some places and they have been quickly rectified, he said.

The CEO said he would hold video conference with district Collectors and Superintendents of Police every two hours to review the situation.

Replying to a query, he said the situation in Tirupati is peaceful.

A scuffle took place between Congress and Prajarajam activists in Tirupati yesterday where Prajarajyam founder Chiranjeevi is contesting.